Sullivan Applauds Army Decision Keeping 4-25 Fully Intact

Office of US Senator Dan Sullivan

Published: April 7, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today after the U.S. Army announced its intent to retain – in its entirety – the full force structure of the 5,000-solider-strong 4-25 Infantry Brigade Combat Team (ABN) at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER). In 2015, the U.S. Army announced that due to force structure downsizing, it was planning to dramatically reduce the number of troops of the 4-25 so that it would become a much smaller battalion task force. Today, those plans were reversed. The U.S. Army also announced that the 4-25 will deploy approximately 1,500 soldiers to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

“Over the last two years my team and I have relentlessly advocated – in both Washington, D.C. and Alaska – for the Army to reverse its decision and keep its only airborne brigade combat team in both the Arctic and Asia-Pacific regions in Alaska. Today, I applaud the announcement that the Army has formally decided to keep the entirety of the 4-25 in Alaska for the foreseeable future. This is an important day for Alaska, and for the national security interests of the United States. This decision sends a clear message that our military leaders recognize the emerging security challenges in both the Arctic and the Asia-Pacific, and that our country remains committed to ensuring peace and security through strength in both of these critical regions.

“I wish to thank Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley and former Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning for their work – including traveling with me to Alaska – in making this decision a reality. I also wish to thank Senator Murkowski, Congressman Young, and the entire Alaska community for helping to show how strategically important this brigade – and all of Alaska’s military – is to our country.

“Finally, I want to thank the men and women of the 4-25 and their families. I’ve gotten to know many of you over the past several years in Alaska and at training exercises outside the state. Despite the recent uncertainty of the 4-25’s status, you continued on with your mission. You and your families represent America’s finest. Godspeed on your next deployment.”